Are these speakers a good deal?

[john-o]

Newegg deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6882290206&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011012&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011012-_-EMC-011012-Index-_-HomeAudioSpeakers-_-82290206-L0C

I'm thinking I need to replace my aging Infinity RS-9's. I got em re-coned once already, years ago now and noticed some serious popping the last time I cranked some tunes....

Would also love a recommendation on a ~$100 receiver for my workshop. Could even be sans tuner, as I just want something decent to run an iPod/iPhone dock through...

TiA for the input!

[Will Collier]

I've been very happy with a similar pair of Polk mains I bought several years ago.

As far as the receiver, just get one from Craigslist or a pawn shop.

[anonymouse1]

I've never been happy with Polks--they don't sound real to me.

[NewtonMP2100]

.....SPEAK now or forever hold your peace.....??

[N-OS X-tasy!]

People either love or hate those Polks.

[john-o]

> People either love or hate those Polks.

Hmmm... That's not very encouraging!

Guess I'll just keep looking...

[SteveO]

I have a set of Polks a step down from those you listed. They are okay. I'm not sure if it's the new Denon receiver I use with them, but they're not very loud compared to what they should be. I need to take an afternoon and troubleshoot this. I suspect it's the receiver as I used another, lower-end pair of Polk towers before these with my circa 1977 Marantz receiver and they sounded awesome with a very warm presence. I think this warmness is an old-school thing you get with these pre-digital receivers.

>Would also love a recommendation on a ~$100 receiver for my workshop. Could even be sans tuner, as I just want something decent to run an iPod/iPhone dock through...

Second the CL referral. Look for something like my Marantz above. Man, what a sweet receiver she is. I only "upgraded" because this new one has hdmi and all that jazz that today's TVs, etc. demand. I still have half a mind to send my Marantz off to rehab and put her back into service.

It still works well but some bulbs are burned out and turning up the volume knob elicits much sputtering. It goes away after a few moments, though. Also note that some of these guys who rehab them also sell them. They find them at junk stores and garage sales, etc. and fix them up. The sound to me is incomparable vs. today's receivers. If anyone can prove me wrong, please do, because I'd love to have something that does hdmi, etc. and sounds as great as my old Marantz.

/marantz commercial!

If that doesn't float your boat, look at this $99 Logitech player: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-S715i-Rec...pd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3OV8B40H5XUXT&colid=35ZAE3NPYBTVY

I'm in need of a new portable iPlayer, but I'm waiting to buy until this one has AirPlay capability which should be by the end of the year. I tested this one vs. several others in the $100-200 range at BB last week and this Logitech was light years ahead in quality of sound.

You might also look at some Klipsch 2.1 systems. They put out some nice sound with a small footprint. I'd also get something that's AirPlay compatible (look for a big wave of those this year across the board) as it is so convenient to use. Good luck in your quest!

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Those Polk speakers should be similar to the same quality. If you really care, you need to go listen to them in person. Not many places to do that any more.

If this is all for your workshop, you might consider powered speakers instead of a separate amp. http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,1291323

[deckeda]

With only 1 source (iPod or iPhone) I'd be looking at either amplified speakers or a 2-ch. power amp. Actually, with $100 to spend I'd be looking at craigslist and take what I can get.

With $150 for speakers you can go for some accuracy such as with the Pioneer SP-BS41-LR, http://www.stereophile.com/content/pione...oudspeaker or go with some efficiency (various Klipsch and Polk at Best Buy, for example). But you won't get both good sound and "loud" sound at that price.

Note that Best Buy has the smaller and larger brothers to the '41s but that they probably won't be hooked up properly in the store, or if they are, won't be presented well against the louder Polks and Klipsches. Just buy them and listen at home and return if necessary, seems to be their message ...

[anonymouse1]

The Pioneers look good.

Best value for good and loud is used infinity Primus towers, or if you can afford them, used infinity Beta towers.